"There's only one hard and fast rule in running: sometimes you have to run one hard and fast."








Monday, October 1, 2012

The Break-Up and the Shake Out

After a couple weeks of dating, I'm back on the market. She was bright, attractive (and age-appropriate, for a change) and had a pleasing personality. Things were easy and comfortable.

I don't do easy and comfortable, apparently. I need to be challenged. As a former girlfriend once said, "You live your life like an exposed nerve! It isn't enough to push your mind and body to the breaking point, do you really have to have everything emotionally charged too?!" Well, yeah. You don't get to my age and not be in a serious relationship unless you have some sort of personality disorder.

As Homer Simpson once said, "Well, excuse me for having enormous flaws I don't work on!"

................

The new training plan has its drawbacks. With only a few runs per week, if I mess up just one, it's a major part of the week that's messed up. Last week, with only 4 runs, I only had one that wasn't a complete waste and I spent that one thinking "I have to get through this. I have to get through this. I have to get through this." Even with that, it was slow, uncomfortable (achilles and knee problems) and nothing special.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement for the plan.

4 comments:

Carilyn said...

Sorry it didn't work out, Steve. We ultrarunners are a tough bunch!

I do hope you find some sort of program that works - you have too much talent to be sidelined this long. Keep at it, my friend!

Robyn said...

Good luck, with the relationships and the running.

Got a question for you, as an experienced MN trail runner. What do you recommend as a first longer-distance trail run -- the Superior Spring 25K, or the new Zumbro 17 mile? I've run a couple shorter trail races but want to go longer. Maybe a 50K this summer or fall.

Thanks for any advice!

SteveQ said...

Robyn, both of those races are quite challenging; the Trail Mix 25K is a good alternative if you want to ease into it.

Robyn said...

Thanks!